Jawara made her debut with the national women's side a year ago, after playing in the junior team.

"She will be remembered for saving a penalty kick in a friendly encounter involving the national soccer team and the Glasgow Girls from Scotland," Mr Bajo told the AFP news agency.

Image copyrightGambia Football FederationImage caption
The Gambia FA says Fatim Jawara will be remembered for her great performance on the pitch

In a Facebook post, the federation said the manner in which she had died was "shocking".

The coach of the Red Scorpions, a local team she played in, described Fatim as a very lovely person who always smiled.

Chorro Mbega told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme that Jawara was a member of the squad that represented the Gambia in the 2012 under-17 World Cup in Azerbaijan, having first joined the team in 2009.

"Fati was a player who can play anywhere on the field. I'm really sad about this because she fought so much to be number one," Ms Mbega said.

She said she was not aware of Jawara being frustrated but added that Red Scorpion players were not paid salaries.